Folsom residents will have an opportunity to directly influence local transportation priorities at a free community listening session on July 8, 2026, hosted by the Sacramento Transportation Authority and Mayor Justin Raithel.
The session is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time, according to an announcement on the City of Folsom's official Facebook page. The event is part of the Sacramento Transportation Authority's broader program of community listening sessions designed to identify local transportation priorities and educate the public about funding challenges facing the region.
"Join the Sacramento Transportation Authority and Mayor Justin Raithel for a community listening session focused on transportation priorities," the City of Folsom stated on Facebook.
The Sacramento Transportation Authority is the countywide agency responsible for administering Measure A transportation sales tax funds and related transportation programs throughout Sacramento County. The authority has been conducting listening sessions in multiple areas, including Folsom, to gather resident input as it faces declining gas tax revenues and rising construction costs that affect road improvements and transit projects.
For Folsom homeowners, transportation infrastructure directly impacts property values and quality of life. Road conditions, traffic congestion, and transit access are key factors that prospective buyers consider when evaluating neighborhoods. The listening session provides residents a direct channel to voice concerns about local traffic patterns, road maintenance needs, and transit service gaps that affect daily commutes and neighborhood accessibility.
The event is categorized as a civic and government activity and is open to the public at no cost. Mayor Justin Raithel will represent the city alongside Sacramento Transportation Authority officials during the session.
The Sacramento Transportation Authority Governing Board typically meets at 700 H Street, Suite 1450, Sacramento, in the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors' Chamber. The board customarily convenes on the second Thursday of selected months at 1:30 p.m., providing ongoing governance and policy direction for transportation funding decisions that affect communities like Folsom.
Community input gathered at listening sessions like the July 8 event helps shape how transportation dollars are allocated across the county. Similar prioritization processes have been adopted by other Sacramento-area municipalities. The City of Sacramento, for example, adopted criteria and a process in March 2022 to prioritize transportation investments based on community values, as reported by Sacramento City Express.
The timing of the Folsom session comes as transportation agencies across California grapple with funding shortfalls. Declining gas tax revenues, driven by increased fuel efficiency and electric vehicle adoption, have reduced a traditional funding source for road maintenance and improvements. Simultaneously, construction costs have risen, stretching available dollars further and making prioritization decisions more critical.
Residents attending the July 8 session can expect to learn about current funding constraints and provide input on which transportation projects should receive priority attention in Folsom. Issues such as road resurfacing, intersection improvements, bike lane expansion, and public transit service levels are typically addressed in such forums.
The one-hour format allows time for presentations from Sacramento Transportation Authority staff and Mayor Raithel, followed by public comment and discussion. Residents can raise specific concerns about problem intersections, deteriorating road segments, or gaps in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure that affect their neighborhoods.
As Folsom continues to grow, transportation planning becomes increasingly important for maintaining livability and supporting property values. New residential development adds vehicles to local roads, while commercial growth creates additional traffic patterns. Strategic transportation investments can help manage growth impacts and preserve the quality of life that attracts buyers to the area.
The July 8 listening session represents a direct opportunity for Folsom residents to influence how transportation priorities are set and funded in their community. With the Sacramento Transportation Authority facing financial pressures that require difficult allocation decisions, community input will help ensure local needs are represented in countywide planning processes.